I still have vintage on my mind these days. I’m still trying to get lots of wear out of my vintage brooches, still pinning them onto my sweaters and blazers before I have to cover them up with a winter coat. Still mentally drooling over all the lovely frocks and coats I saw at the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show two weeks ago. Fifties style dresses seemed to be big this year. See.
 |
| Assorted fifties frocks at the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show |
 |
| source |
 |
| Two jackets, one fab scarf, and assorted jewellry at Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show |
I snagged myself a bracelet for ten bucks at a booth that was having a “Going Out of Vintage” sale. That was a find for me; I’m a hard fit. My wrists are really thin, and most bracelets simply fall off me unless I keep my arm bent. Maybe I should take up smoking again? I bet Lauren Bacall never had any problem keeping her bracelet on when she was holding her cigarette. Still there is the whole health thing, and the anti-social thing. And it will be thirty-one years next week since I quit. So… nah. Forget I said that.
 |
| source |
There were all kinds of accessories at the show, other than scarves and bracelets. Like some seriously cool sunglasses from the sixties and seventies. Okay, I will admit they looked kind of dorky on me. But still, it was fun to try them on, snap a picture, replace them, and then walk away… quickly.
 |
| Just messing around with my new ap on my i-pad. Trying to up the cool factor. |
But the best thing about the Vintage Clothing Show for me is always the hats. I’m crazy for vintage hats. I already own several. Some are quite dressy, one might even say a bit showy. Some are more casual like my brown beret from the forties, below. I love my beret. Especially the Bakelite brooch that came pinned to it. At under ten bucks, this was a find, considering what one has to pay for Bakelite jewellry these days. When the hat falls apart, I’ll remove the brooch and wear it on its own.
 |
| My brown beret with the Bakelite brooch, Holt Renfrew scarf and Gap sweater. |
And this year, I managed to snap up another great hat for my collection. See. It’s an odd little thing, really. It has a puffy brim, and pears and leaves appliqued onto the crown and covered in netting. And a sweet little brown feather.
 |
| My newly acquired odd little 50’s beanie. |
It’s part 1950s’ beanie.
 |
| source |
Part Elizabethan boy’s costume. Like you might see Tybalt or Mercutio wear in Romeo and Juliet. Seriously. Have a look at this shot from Franco Zefferelli’s 1968 film … which you have to admit is the definitive R & J movie.
 |
| source |
But no matter that I look like I might break out into sword-play… I love my new hat. And it goes perfectly with my green tweed blazer and this really old green silk scarf, that I’ve had since university. Making it vintage as well… sadly.
After last week’s post… that’s me done paying homage to vintage for a while. And hat satiated… for now, anyway. I do admit to being very well hatted, when it comes to vintage. Maybe a bit too well hatted. Maybe I had better start finding places and events where I might wear some of my hats.
Any ideas? High tea with the Governor General’s wife? A winter wedding in old Quebec City? Roller skating? I need some help here, people. Where does one wear vintage headgear these days? I mean besides the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show, that is?
39 thoughts on “Further Adventures in Vintage… or… Well Hatted”
The Vintage Clothing Show sounds like fun! I've never really seriously explored vintage clothes and accessories – one day! I know there is a wonderful vintage world out there…
What a great hat! Looks great on you!
Thanks, Andrea. I do a lot more exploring than I do buying. It's like going to a museum, where you can take the artifacts home if you want.
Anywhere, that's where. Hats complete an outfit and that green Oneis very sweet. In the 60's it was my company's policy to always wear a hat when visiting our customers and I hated it. It was the 60's after all and hats and mini skirts didn't go together. Wear it proudly before the snow comes and you have to hunker down under a woolly one!
Thanks, Jenny I will. Especially since it won't be long until it's toque season!
Your hats are art! And you can wear one any day, to pick up the dry cleaning if you like – they look natural and stylin' on you. Ah Paul Newman – oneof a kind. xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I should be more diligent about wearing them. Maybe I'll start with a trip to the drycleaners!
I love vintage, including myself. 😉
As a side note, what would you estimate as your cost per wear for your green silk scarf? Is Canadian money even minted in what must surely be such a small amount? Perhaps the scarf now pays YOU to wear it?
Riley
Good point… I'm sure that scarf owes me money. Since I bought it when I was a student, I know I didn't pay much for it. I've just always loved the mix of colours in it.
I love vintage stuff but try restrain myself from fairs now , there's a limit to how much stuff one normal house can hold . Even too many brooches can become bewildering . My best bargain was an immaculate brown herringbone tweed coat bought in Scotland for £30 a couple of years ago . It's difficult to find such seriously good fabric now & it didn't need any alterations either , even the arms – always a problem for me . Your pics reminded me of my mums posh frocks when I was little . You have a good hat face & I think you should wear them for afternoon tea in some grand hotel in Ottawa – they would feel at home there
Wendy in York
That herringbone coat sounds like a real find. I'm very picky about buying now, as well. We live in a small house and one CAN easily accumulate too much stuff. Even brooches.
If it's one thing that all you fashionistas at Visible Monday are teaching me, is that vintage shopping is not only economical, but full of fun and original clothing. I intend as a 2016 resolution, to explore this avenue with GUSTO. I adore that green hat with the pears that you found and you look lovely in it.
Thanks, Marea. Shopping vintage is such fun…even if you don't buy. Just looking is an adventure.
I love that expression "you have a good hat face" and it's true, your face does look like it's made for a hat. Lucky you, I have a long beaky face when I put a hat on – I shall blame my father for that. Just found you today through Patti (yes, you probably weren't lost, I know). Anyway, I'm an over 50's blogger too and have only run my blog for 6 months so am still finding my feet. You have a lovely friendly face, so thought I'd stop to say hello. You live in a very beautiful part of the world. I'm a Scot living in England. Do pop across to see me and say hello if you want to.
Anna
Anna's Island Style
Thanks, Anna. Although my round face looks very silly in a cloche or something that is supposed to look dramatic. I will definitely pop over to see you on your blog:)
Elizabeth Taylor could rock anything in my book. There is this wonderful old film from the 1950s (I think) in which she's in love with Vittorio Gassman. The wardrobe in that film is absolutely extraordinary. I watched it not too long ago on my iPad and screen captured some of her outfits to revisit, just because they were so amazing. So let's hear it for these vintage looks… and I love the hats on you!!!
She was beautiful, wasn't she? I'm going to look for that film. Love the clothes in all those fifties movies.
You look fabulous in your hats!
Thanks very much, Donna.
You look wonderful in your hats, they make a look really individual. Thanks for sharing about your love for all things vintage!
Thanks, Lorna Mai.
Oh to look as wonderful as Elizabeth Taylor in that white dress! I really like your vintage hats …you look very stylish in them both. I've always thought the photograph of you on the top right of your blog is a lovely one. That hat is just perfect on you! I'm not really a hat person. Probably due to finding that very few actually fit me!! Either large head …thick curly hair or both!! 🙂 However since we started to visit Switzerland each winter I've become a lover of woolly hats! I actually think I suit them more than more stylish ones 🙂
Rosie
Thanks, Rosie. I never saw myself as a hat person until I started trying vintage ones. Big brimmed sun hats, or cloches look absolutely ridiculous on me. With my big head & round face …can't pull off the Sophia Lauren, Audrey Hepburn hat look at all! Hey… don't knock it… woolly hats are very on trend!
Pleased they are on trend, as now there's so much choice available and I can pretty much wear them, along with berets all Winter. As I mentioned I really do love the ones I have and actually they do now look quite stylish, as well as stopping my hair getting all damp and frizzy!!
Rosie
I too have a love of vintage costume jewelry. My wrists are very small, and older pieces usually fit better. (Perhaps people really were smaller then. Smile) Your hat is chic indeed. Put it on and wear it often before the snow flies! Tea at the Chateau Laurier perhaps?
It's these personal touches in a wardrobe which transform clothing from mere fashion into style. And it's such fun to see it in action,
Beverley
Tea at the Chateau might be just the thing. Thanks for stopping by.
You are rocking that hat – it looks great. I am now feeling inspired to explore more vintage shops (we have a couple in our town that I've never ventured into). My husband has bought me a vintage brooch for my birthday (well, in truth I've bought it, he just needs to sign the card) so that's a good start I feel. Love your blog.
Thanks so much Amy. Love that story… "He just needs to sign the card." Hope you picked out a nice one!
I'm sure Atwood would have loved it, no? 😉
You're right. She used to dress in all manner of dramatic fashions. I remember my friend who took a course from MA at the University of Alberta said that Margaret would swirl into class in a long cape.
Your hats are gorgeous, perfect for you. And moving from the sublime to the ridiculous I love the selfies in shades. I imagine it would have been very amusing for anyone watching you. Iris
Thanks, Iris. Ridiculous is right. I'm not sure if I was clocked taking my photos… but I'm know it would have been amusing if I had been:)
Hello Susan! Lovely to meet you.I popped across from Passion For Fashion lured by your gorgeous, gorgeous hat!!!! It us truly beautiful!!! I adore vintage hats, well, hats in any form!!! this one is sensational AND the bargain beret with bakelite brooch!!! You're right, Bakelite is expensive and hard to get nowadays!
It is lovely to meet you and I will try to remember to pop over when I'm on my computer as I find it hard to find follow buttons on a phone but you seem.my kind of person AND I want to see more of these brooches!!! I've been trying to wear mine more and sharing on my blog too!!!xxx
Well, thanks, Kezzie. I love anyone who loves brooches… and vintage. Pop by anytime.
Love me a touch of vintage too! And seeing that scene from Romeo & Juliet totally made me smile. As a high school English teacher, I've seen that movie more times than I care to count! 😉
Thanks so much for linking up!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Thanks, Dawn Lucy. Me too… seem that movie a hundred times. Still like it better than the 90's remake.
Love the 50's green hat. Suits you Sue. What's the fun new app? You are becoming quite the photo person.
Have a great week
Arlene
Thanks, Arlene. My new ap is "layout." I tried it originall with Instagram, and am now using it for other things. Learning new things is such fun… when there's no test… or marking!
What is that new app? How fun. Love your new hat. Hats have such attitude. Thanks for sharing with us at My Refined Style!
Love the hut! Check my Site, we hav a lot of Vintage Stuff! facebook.com/kleidergarten
Comments are closed.